The clown craze may have originated in the US, but as of this week it has hit Britain – and sightings and incidents are swiftly spreading.
Now, in light of the alarming number of reports of clown sightings, police in Gloucestershire have issued a warning.
A rep for the force said, in a statement: “Whether those involved are doing it for a joke or not, this is no laughing matter.”
More and more clowns appearing in Europe.
— Clown Sightings (@ClownSighting) October 6, 2016
Colchester, England pic.twitter.com/okC8iDaOTp
“These are stupid acts that are really frightening people and wasting our time. Please don’t be tempted to do it. Think of the consequences,” they added.
The statement comes after a week of terrifying reports. While two young girls were approached by a pair of clowns asking them if they wanted to join them at a birthday party, a young boy was also left traumatised after a knife-wielding clown chased him near his school.
Sightings have been reported in Essex, Durham and Newcastle – and chilling photos and footage have been shared to social media.
Another clown sighting in Peterborough, UK pic.twitter.com/yEXhAOLrSF
— k (@kaaii98) October 6, 2016
The eerie phenomenon shows no signs of letting up either, with sightings now being reported as far away as in Australia.
Let’s hope people pay heed to the police’s warning.
